In this image made from video, writer and humorist Garrison Keillor hosts his final broadcast of the weekly radio variety show "A Prairie Home Companion" Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo)

In this image made from video, writer and humorist Garrison Keillor, left, hosts his final broadcast of the weekly radio variety show "A Prairie Home Companion" Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Calif. His guests included musicians, from left to right: Heather Masse, Christine DiGiallonardo, Sarah Jarosz, Sara Watkins and Aoife O'Donovan. (AP Photo)

Writer and humorist Garrison Keillor hosts his final episode of the old-style variety show "A Prairie Home Companion," at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles Friday, July 1, 2016. Some 18,000 fans were transported to Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, Friday night as Keillor hosted his final episode of the old-style variety show "A Prairie Home Companion" after 42 years on public radio. (Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging via AP)

LOS ANGELES — Writer and humorist Garrison Keillor served up a bittersweet farewell for some 18,000 fans at the Hollywood Bowl, as he hosted his final episode of the old-style radio variety show, “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Keillor’s swan song Friday night wasn’t markedly different from most of his nearly 42 years of “Companion” episodes, offering a rich mix of Americana music and often tongue-in-cheek comedy. (Although U.S. President Barack Obama did call in for a special segment recorded earlier Friday, but not even the Bowl audience will hear that until Saturday’s broadcast.)

The “last-show” aspect of the doings was so subtle that, at one point, even Keillor’s cast mates began to prod their boss, asking, “How do you feel (about leaving)?” Keillor eventually, reluctantly replied, “It feels like something ends and something else is about to happen.”

The 73-year-old Keillor delivered one last “Lives of the Cowboys” comedy sketch as well as the show’s best-known segment, “News from Lake Wobegon,” a folksy report from a fictional town where “all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average”

Keillor sang a few more songs and closed out the show as if it was any other.

Only during the encore did he truly take time to say goodbye, engaging the crowd with a moving medley of songs running the gamut from classic spirituals to pop ballads.

“Companion” attracts more than three million public-radio listeners in the U.S.; many more counting the show’s Armed Forces Radio audiences worldwide.

After Saturday’s season finale, it will return with new episodes in October with an updated format and new host, Chris Thile.

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As ugly on the outside as he is in the inside. Hopefully this really is the end unlike the last time when we left in a snit but came back.

SouthernGuy

I have no idea about what Garrison Keillor is like personally and I don’t take hearsay as evidence of anything. His politics? Well, from what I hear from him and about him in this vein his politics and mine are polar opposites, but as he has never (in the times I’ve seen and heard him) allowed politics to be a part of his shows that too is a non-starter.

He is what he is. An entertainer like few others who has more than stood the test of time. He has put Minnesota on the map in a good way, and will be missed.

George Orwell

When Paul Wellstone died, Garrison Keillor wrote an op-ed that insinuated the Republicans kill him.

He has been driven insane. Like most liberals when they realize their beliefs and reality are in stark contradiction.

His politics are what drove me away from listening to the show. I get really tired of listening to one person , truly hatefully and spitefully, bashing a group of people because of their views. It is very much like racism in context!

Hollywood? What was wrong with a final episode in Minnesota? Not that I would have listened anyway.

Casey

The season was scheduled prior to his decision to retire, thus the final show at the Hollywood Bowl.

Good news for you, though. At the State Fair, he will be doing something called The Minnesota Show. You will have another opportunity to not give him your business.

Rick

Thanks for the warning!

Kevin Christianson

Years ago, he was humorous, winsome, and relevant. His work spoke to all people. For more than 20 years, he has used his tax payer supported platform to spew hate and vitriol. I am saddened that many of my fellow citizens continue to be enthralled by such a divisive specimen. It is well past time for this angry and petulant old man be yanked off the stage. Good riddance.

JonasGrumby

Gary always looks like he has a stick up his rear? Do you suppose he enjoys anything?

Nom de Plume

If you had to pander to the gray haired, tote baggers, you’d feel like he looks as well.

Nom de Plume

isn’t this about the 3rd time he’s quit in as many decades?
I suspect the only people happy to see him staying on the road are his neighbors- especially the guy he sued.

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